About 1,500 shooters from the continent would have one last crack at qualification for next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo when the 14th Asian Shooting Championships gets underway Monday at the Losail Shooting Complex.
The event, which Qatar is hosting for the second time – the first was in 2012 – is guaranteed to produce some top-class action and will pave the way for 38 shooters to book their spots at next year’s quadrennial sporting gala.
“This is the biggest competition in Asia. We successfully hosted it before in 2012 and decided to bid for it again earlier this year in which we were successful,” Ali Mohamed al-Kuwari, the President of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association, told journalists at a press conference Sunday.
“But since 2012 there have upgraded a lot of facilities at the shooting range. We are using the same equipment which would be used at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Plus we have also opened a new ‘Final Hall’ for indoor events and also the medal ceremonies,” al-Kuwari added. Al-Kuwari, who was elected as a Vice President of the Asian Shooting Confederation Sunday, said the event has been put in place after a great deal of planning.
“We have planned well. We have a good team who are putting in their best to ensure that these championships are on par with the best. So far the athletes and officials have expressed satisfaction and praised the facilities.”
Qatar will be represented by 136 shooters, but all eyes would be on London Olympics bronze medallist Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah who will be also aiming to grab a quota place in Tokyo. If he qualifies, it will be his seventh Olympics, thus joining an elite list of athletes. “It’s a big ambition for him. I think he would set a few records by making it his seventh Olympics at Tokyo 2020,” al-Kuwari said.
“He has been training and working very hard. We are all proud of him, he has been raising the Qatari flag at Olympics which is a very big thing for us and for all of our shooters.”
Several Qatari shooters are also representing the country in the junior and youth events.
“For these youngsters it’s a dream come true as they get to perform alongside some of the best shooters in Asia. “It’s a good opportunity for them to see where they stand and learn from some of the top pros.”
Hussein Saleh al-Sada, Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee and Chairman of the Finance Committee, said a ‘working group’ has been formed to ensure that the tournament is conducted in a professional manner.
“Everything is going according to plan. We have received positive feedback from the participating delegations.”
He said nobody should be under any illusions that the competitions would be easy. “It’s difficult to predict who will do well. There are many strong teams like China and India. But our shooters are competing on their home soil in familiar conditions and therefore should be extra motivated,” he said.
“Also, they have been preparing at camps and tournaments abroad. They will use all their experience to try and excel.”
Meanwhile, Nimit Chopra, Assistant Secretary, National Rifle Assn of India, praised the facilities provided by Qatar for the athletes.
“The shooting ranges here are good, our stay is very comfortable. The shooters have been training hard. Some of the seniors have been based in Qatar since October 22,” he said.
India has already claimed nine quota places, but are hoping to grab a few more berths.
Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah will be gunning for his seventh Olympics. At right, QSSA President Ali Mohamed al-Kuwari (second from left) with Hussein Saleh al-Sada, Vice-Chairman, Organising Committee & Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mohamed Ahmed Taher, Director, Organising Committee, and Hamad Yousef al-Obaidly, Chairman of the Media Committee, during the press conference.
